"Iron Bill" shows his mettle

March 15, 2014 |Photos by Marie D. De Jesus and James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

Capt. Bill Dowling suffered serious brain injuries and lost both his legs after fighting a massive motel fire on May 31, 2013.

Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

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Captain Bill Dowling is the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal, Saturday, March 15, 2014. His family will dress him with his firefighter officer uniform when they arrive to the parade so he can be comfortable during the drive from Tomball to Houston. Dowling suffered serious brain injuries and lost both his legs after fighting a massive motel fire on May 31, 2013.

Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

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Captain Bill Dowling is the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal, Saturday, March 15, 2014. His family will dress him with his firefighter officer uniform when they arrive to the parade so he can be comfortable during the drive from Tomball to Houston. Dowling suffered serious brain injuries and lost both his legs after fighting a massive motel fire on May 31, 2013.